Community Care Home for Taiwan Vulnerable Children

"I feel pain when I eat..." These heartbreaking words from four-year-old Cheng encapsulate the silent suffering of a child who spent his early years in the shadow of incarceration. Cheng’s severe tooth decay, a stark reminder of his time spent in a prison nursery, hindered his ability to eat and led to malnutrition.

Cheng’s story begins with his birth behind bars, as both his parents were imprisoned shortly after he came into the world. For three and a half years, Cheng’s home was a cell, his playmates were the walls, and his future seemed as confined as his surroundings. Upon release, Cheng found himself in a different kind of confinement—his frail grandmother’s home, along with his two older brothers. Overwhelmed by illness and unable to provide the care her grandchildren desperately needed, Cheng’s grandmother reached out to The Mustard Seed Mission’s Community Care Home, a glimmer of light in their darkest hours.

When Cheng arrived at the care home, his appearance was a stark contrast to the vibrant energy typical of a four-year-old. He was emaciated, frequently feverish, and struggled to eat without pain. It took over an hour for him to finish a meal. A visit to the doctor revealed severe tooth decay, a consequence of years without proper oral hygiene. Cheng’s plight was a silent cry for help, a cry that the caregivers at the Community Care Home could not ignore.

Our caregivers from the Community Care Home, with hearts full of compassion, began to rebuild Cheng’s world from the ground up. They taught him how to brush his teeth, to bathe, and to care for himself. They arranged for root canal treatment to alleviate his pain, showing him that there was more to life than suffering. Meanwhile, Cheng’s older brother, Wen, diagnosed with speech delay, also received the care he needed. Early intervention and a variety of learning activities helped Wen catch up with his peers, transforming frustration into triumph as he successfully completed a 30-piece puzzle on his own.

In the warm embrace of the Community Care Home, Cheng and Wen found more than care—they found a family. The bonds they formed with the caregivers and with each other were akin to those of a loving family, providing the stability and affection they had long been deprived of.

Through the unwavering support of donors and partners, the Community Care Homes have become more than shelters; they are crucibles of resilience and transformation. Cheng’s journey from a prison nursery to a nurturing community home is a testament to the incredible impact of compassion and care. Today, he smiles without pain, plays with joy, and dreams of a future unclouded by past traumas. Wen, too, flourishes, his speech improving and his confidence soaring. This transformative work is made possible by the generosity of those who believe in the power of community and the potential within every child.

As we continue to expand our network of Community Care Homes across Taiwan, we ask for your continued support. Together, we can turn the page on stories of suffering and write new chapters of hope, resilience, and boundless potential for vulnerable children and their families.

Dear Friends,

We are immensely grateful for your steadfast support throughout the years. As our endeavours evolve to better serve the needs of vulnerable children and families in Taiwan, we would like to reaffirm the essence of our "Community Care Homes" initiative and underscore its profound significance.

At its core, this programme aims to intervene proactively, providing a nurturing haven for at-risk youths before their family situations escalate to a critical juncture requiring government intervention or institutional placement. By establishing residential care homes within local communities, we offer children a secure environment that preserves their connections to familiar surroundings, while simultaneously providing support services to help rebuild and strengthen family units. This innovative approach allows us to protect children from harm while nurturing their bond with parents and communities – a holistic solution that transcends mere crisis management.

The Numbers for the first quarter of 2024:

• 70 children received comprehensive live-in care and support
• 11 young adults benefited from our independent living assistance programme
• 10 high school and university students received educational grants

Beyond the statistics, however, lie the transformative story of lives touched by your compassionate support.

Finding Love: A Journey of Healing for a Child Witness to Domestic Violence

Pei grew up witnessing the turmoil of family conflict. Although her mother eventually made the brave decision to leave the abusive environment, Pei’s sensitive nature left her struggling with feelings of insecurity due to her parents’ divorce. Her academic performance declined, and her emotions spiralled out of control. Fortunately, with the support of a community care home, Pei and her mother began rebuilding their intimate parent-child relationship. Together with other children in the care home, they embarked on a path of healing and happiness, forging a new life.

In her third year of junior high school, Pei was haunted by memories of domestic violence. She had often witnessed heated arguments over trivial matters within her family. Worse still, she had seen her mother endure physical abuse from her father. Determined to shield her younger sister, Pei’s mother chose to end the marriage and raise her daughters alone. Through a church referral, Pei’s mother connected with partners from the Community Care Home who guided them to a safe haven and empowered her with job skills to support their new life.

As the family prepared for their fresh start, Pei’s sensitive disposition intensified her feelings of insecurity. Her academic performance suffered, and she withdrew from social interactions, frequently clashing with classmates. Despite her inner turmoil, Pei didn’t know how to seek help. Her mother, busy with work and still recovering from the trauma of abuse, lacked the emotional capacity to provide the support Pei needed. Their once-close relationship had turned icy.

Reflecting on their past interactions, Pei’s mother decided to turn to the MSM team. She requested that Pei stay at the Community Care Home temporarily, allowing her to catch her breath. She hoped that professional guidance would help Pei overcome the shadows of violence and learn essential interpersonal and emotional management skills. With stable support from teachers and social workers at the Community Care Home, Pei gradually let down her guard, sharing her fear of witnessing her parents’ violence and reorganising her inner world.

Today, Pei has regained her smile and improved her emotional regulation. She enjoys sports and competes alongside many good friends. The Community Care Home facilitates parent-child bonding through parenting education activities, allowing Pei and her mother to rebuild their relationship and sense of attachment. Together, they are stepping out of the darkness of family violence, armed with courage and strength as they embrace a brand-new life.

Your partnership has been invaluable in making this vision a reality. As we forge ahead, expanding our network of "Community Care Homes" across Taiwan, we kindly ask for your continued support. Together, we can rewrite the narratives of vulnerable children and families, empowering them to overcome adversity and thrive as beacons of resilience within their communities.

With profound gratitude,

The Mustard Seed Mission Team